EagleBurgmann Australia Pty Ltd v Ross Grant Leabeater & Anor [2012] NSWSC 573

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: EagleBurgmann Australia Pty Ltd v Ross Grant Leabeater & Anor [2012] NSWSC 573 Hearing dates: 29.03.12, 30.03.12, 02.04.12 Decision date: 30 May 2012 Before: Nicholas J Decision: Par 127 Catchwords: EQUITY - fiduciary duty - whether employee and employer in fiduciary relationship - breach - account of profits - whether relevant that employer unable to make profits for which account is taken - just allowance - whether defendants discharged onus of proving allowance claimed CONTRACT - employment contract - restraint of trade clause - whether reasonable - clause preventing employee's involvement in business "which carries on the operations or business similar to" and "which is in competition with" employer - clause applied "in respect of" every State and Territory of Australia and New Zealand - whether employee involved in competition with employer - whether restraint for one year after termination of employment reasonable Legislation Cited: Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) Cases Cited: Breen v Williams [1996] HCA 57; (1995-1996) 186 CLR 71 Cactus Imaging Pty Ltd v Peters [2006] NSWSC 717; (2007) 71 NSWLR 9 Colour Control Centre v Ty (1996) 39 AILR 5-058 Franklins Pty Ltd v Metcash Trading Pty Ltd [2009] NSWCA 407; (2009) 76 NSWLR 603 Furs Ltd v Tomkies & Ors [1936] HCA 3; (1935-1936) 54 CLR 583 Jones v Dunkel [1959] HCA 8; (1958-1959) 101 CLR 298 Harris v Digital Pulse Pty Ltd [2003] NSWCA 10; (2003) 56 NSWLR 298 Hospital Products Ltd v United States Surgical Corporation [1984] HCA 64; (1984) 156 CLR 41 Jardin v Metcash Ltd [2011] NSWCA 409; (2011) 285 ALR 677 Koops Martin Financial Services Pty Ltd v Reeves [2006] NSWSC 717 R v Byrnes [1995] HCA 1; (1995) 183 CLR 501 Spotless Group Ltd v Blanco Catering Pty Ltd [2011] FCA 979; (2011) 93 IPR 235 Streeter & Ors v Western Areas Exploration Pty Ltd [2011] WASCA 17; (2011) 278 ALR 291 Warman International Ltd & Ors v Dwyer & Ors [1995] HCA 18; (1994-1995) 182 CLR 544 Texts Cited: Meagher, Gummow and Lehane, Equity: Doctrines and Remedies; 4th Ed Category: Principal judgment Parties: EagleBurgmann Australia Pty Ltd - plaintiff Ross Grant Leabeater - first defendant Silverfox Enterprises Pty Ltd - second defendant Representation: Counsel: J J E Fernon/C Bannan - plaintiff F G Kalyk - defendants Solicitors: Horton Rhodes - plaintiff Robert Tricca & Associates - defendants File Number(s): 11/358235